Elgin Fire Department, Elgin, Illinois

06/04/2026

We offer our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District Firefighter/Paramedic John Morgan, who passed away while on duty on May 31st.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire HRFPD organization and personnel during this difficult time.

May 31, 2026 - LODD
Firefighter/Paramedic John D. Morgan, 53
Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District. Roscoe, IL
While working his shift, Firefighter/Paramedic Morgan did not report to the apparatus floor when a call came in for a grass fire. Fellow first responders searched for Firefighter/Paramedic Morgan and found him unresponsive a short time later. Firefighter/Paramedic Morgan was pronounced deceased at the station. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

06/04/2026

Unseasonably warm, dry, and breezy conditions today will set the stage for an elevated danger for grass and brush fire spread. Use extra caution today, and remember: Don’t be that spark!

06/02/2026

Elgin's outdoor emergency warning sirens will sound at 10 a.m. today, Tuesday, June 2nd, as part of routine testing. This is only a test.

Outdoor warning sirens are activated when the National Weather Service issues a WARNING (not a watch) for our area, including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings with damaging winds or large hail.

Sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors that dangerous conditions are occurring or about to happen. When you hear a siren, go indoors, seek shelter, and check a reliable weather source for more information. Sirens are not meant to be heard indoors; you are exactly where you need to be.

Sirens may sound even if conditions seem calm in your location, and they may activate more than once if multiple warnings are issued.

If you have any questions about this system, please dial 311 or call 847-931-6001 if out of city limits.

06/02/2026

Today, we remember the Line of Duty Deaths of Captain Stan Balsis and Firefighter Michael Whalen. On June 2nd, 1974, these fire department members gave their lives 52 years ago during a heroic rescue effort at the Kimball Street dam.

This incident deeply affected the fire department and has shaped the operational response to all water rescue incidents since then. Captain Balsis and Firefighter Whalen will forever be remembered by our department and our community for their ultimate sacrifice.

06/01/2026

We will celebrate the following employment anniversaries during the month of June:

- B/C Wilmington - 29 years (06/16/1997)
- Capt. Clausen - 22 years (06/07/2004)
- D/C Kennedy - 20 years (06/12/2006)
- Lt. Steiner - 20 years (06/12/2006)
- Lt. Sardina - 24 years (06/03/2002)
- Lt. J. Smith - 21 years (06/06/2005)
- FF Galli - 24 years (06/03/2002)
- FF Koop - 24 years (06/03/2002)
- FF Talbot - 24 years (06/03/2002)
- FF Bradshaw - 24 years (06/03/2002)
- FF Chromek - 24 years (06/03/2002)
- FF Troiani - 22 years (06/07/2004)
- FF C. Hanson - 22 years (06/07/2004)
- Lt. Lamka - 21 years (06/06/2005)
- FF Sunderlage - 21 years (06/06/2005)
- FF Crawford - 20 years (06/12/2006)
- Lt. Carver - 19 years (06/11/2007)
- FF Frenette - 19 years (06/11/2007)
- FF E. McMahon - 19 years (06/11/2007)

Congratulations to all, thank you for your dedication and years of service to the City of Elgin!

05/25/2026

With respect, honor, and gratitude towards all Veterans, we thank those who have served and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

05/18/2026

Today we remember the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter/Driver George Bogart in 1903. Bogart was appointed to the Elgin Fire Department in 1886 and assigned to the Hook & Ladder Company. Also, he was occasionally assigned the driver of the James T. Gifford steam engine. He served as the Captain of Hose Company No.4 on DuBois Ave and later returned to a position of Driver.

Driver Bogart died from an accidental discharge of a firearm while on duty. He was in the hayloft of Station # 4 when his gun fell over, discharged, and struck him in the lower abdomen. He was participating in a local organized bird hunt. Several doctors were summoned, but he later succumbed to his injuries at the fire barn on May 18, 1903. At the time, Bogart was the most senior member of the fire department.

05/17/2026

May 17-23, 2026 is National EMS Week.

In 1974, President Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. During EMS week, we recognize all Emergency Medical Services personnel for their dedication and commitment to providing highly skilled pre-hospital patient care.

For more information: https://emsweek.org/about-ems-week/